Gialyn nodded.
The Princess looked like she was going to complain, but after a look from the older woman, the girl remained silent. Who the woman really was, and why she had power over the princess, were questions for later, though. Daric had more than enough to deal with.
He looked around the room, wondering how they might get a cot through the door when he realised someone was missing.
“Hasn’t Elspeth come back yet?”
Gialyn shook his head. “She’s east of Barais’coi, looking for Arfael. I think she met some friends, but I don’t know who they are.”
Daric banged his forehead against the mattress. “Is that girl ever going to learn common sense?”
Gialyn laughed. “That’s what I said.”
CHAPTER 17
The Back Door
Elspeth walked beside Nana as they made their way north along the tree line to where Skelk had seen her “silver friend.” As they walked, Elspeth felt a fresh breeze blowing from the east. The air smelled of salt and, despite their distance from the shore, the breeze carried a light mist that dampened her skin. Evening was approaching; it would be dark soon. The eastern horizon was already black with a slender covering of storm clouds. She wondered if she should go back while it was still light enough to find her way to the cliffs. Arfael or not, she did not like the idea of spending the night outside—not with a storm coming: she had had enough of rain on her trek through the Am’beith Marsh.
The rest of Nana’s group had spread out—half scouting the trail to the north and west, the rest covering their tracks and guarding the rear. They seemed a friendly enough group. Well, not friendly; but not nasty, either. Indeed, thus far, all but Nana and Skelk had ignored her; they appeared too concerned with their duties to pay much attention to the new girl. Elspeth thought they were very efficient, the Toyans.
“Do you think the rest of your countrymen will stay with Vila?” Elspeth asked. It seemed the obvious question. But once asked, she wondered if it was the right thing to say; Nana was bound to have mixed feeling about leaving her compatriots. “I mean, won’t they just follow orders?”
Nana shrugged. “Not if what Skelk told me is true. The way he tells it, they were ready to turn on the Kel’madden. Skelk managed to calm them by coming up with his rescue idea. I don’t know what would have happened if they had succeeded in hanging me. Toyans stick together. There is an old saying on our island: ‘Not Toyan? Then don’t ask’!’”
“Don’t ask what?”
Again, Nana shrugged. “I think it started with marriage. These days… who knows? Toyans work with, play with, and marry other Toyans. Myself, I don’t mind mainlanders, but that’s the way it is.”
“That sounds like some of the farmers back home,” Elspeth said. “They can be prickly around strangers, and only sell produce to folks they know.” Elspeth, like Nana, didn’t much like that sort, either. But at least these Toyans were treating her well—so far.
Nana nodded. “I think you can find folk like that everywhere. And from what I’ve seen, it doesn’t take much looking to find them. Toyans, Salrians, Eurmacians; none hold the pattern for ignorance.”
“Yes, I’m beginning to see that,” Elspeth said, thinking of the folks she had met in Eiras, and some of those from Illeas’den—not all, by any means, but some. “It’s not all bad; I’ve made some good friends, in the last month.”
That made her think of Olam. A knot formed in her stomach. She knew she wouldn’t have been able to save him, were she in Bailryn two nights ago, but she wished she could have at least said goodbye. Olam had been the one to introduce her to the Powers. The memory of Olam and the animals of Herann’coi would stay with her forever.
“So why are you following your friend?” Nana asked. “From what Skelk says, I hardly think he needs any help from you. No offense, but I imagine he can look after himself.”
Elspeth bit her lip. She didn’t want to say that she wouldn’t be there had she not slipped off the wall. The thought made her cringe internally. How could she have been so careless? The vision of a comfortable bed back in the palace flashed before her eyes. Why did she always have to go that extra pace? Fortunately, one of Nana’s men signalled the captain before she had to answer.
Elspeth followed her to the trees.
“What is it, Myka?” Nana whispered. She crouched down behind the dead thicket that separated the trees from a wide field. “Have you found him?”
Myka was a young man, not much older than Elspeth. Although, like the rest of the Toyans, he had an older man’s serious look about him—always on his guard. His skin was even darker than Nana’s. He had the same cropped, black hair as the rest of their group, but Myka wore a thin leather strip wrapped around his head. The strip had markings on it. Elspeth could only guess what they meant. Maybe he was from a different regiment.
“No, not our silver friend; something more interesting,” Myka said.
He pointed through the thicket towards a narrow valley that lay beyond the trees.
Nana blinked. She looked shocked. “What the…? How…? Where did they come from?”
“Who is it?” Elspeth whispered.
“The Toyan army—or what’s left of it,” Nana told her.
“Seems your escape has had repercussions,” another of Nana’s men said. He was older than Myka and was sitting—quite relaxed, Elspeth thought—propped up by a large root.
Nana hitched closer to the thicket and looked further down the valley. “Maybe… or maybe they decided to leave by themselves.” She didn’t sound convinced.
Elspeth peered through the branches. There were thousands of Toyans in the valley. Most were milling about, making camp. Others were still arriving, their packs heavy with gear they had hauled up from beyond the bog. Did this mean the Toyans were not going to fight for Vila? If so, this was something Daric should know, and quickly.
She was about to ask if Nana knew what the Toyans were up to when she heard a whistle from the north. Moments later, Skelk emerged from behind a clump of wildberry bushes.
“Someone’s coming,” Skelk said, as he tucked in behind a tree, still looking to the north. “Two of them, leading horses through the trees. They’ve got wolves with them.”
“Wolves?” Elspeth said. “Does one of the men look like a Salrian?”
Before she left, she had overheard one of Daric’s sergeant say that Grady and Si’eth were with the wildlings. She couldn’t help but grin; if it were Grady, she could go back with them.
Skelk sat back against the tree and gave her a none-too-pleasant look. “More friends of yours?” he asked.
“If one’s Salrian, then yes, I think so. Grady and Si’eth: Grady’s from my village, and Si’eth… he – he’s a friend.”
Nana, still sitting, twisted around and looked at Elspeth. “You don’t sound very sure of yourself.”
“It’s a long story, but you can trust him.”
Nana made a noise in her throat as she turned to Skelk. “I’ll decide who I can trust.” She made a few hand gestures. Skelk and the other two Toyans moved off through the trees.
“Let me go to them,” Elspeth said. “If they think you’re an enemy… They are not like those others, Nana. You won’t kill them quickly, especially not the wolves.”
“Gods, girl, who said anything about killing anyone? No, you and I will go meet your friends. I sent the others off to keep a lookout. You’re still one friend missing, remember?”
Elspeth nodded. She was not sure she could trust the woman—despite the fact she was beginning to like her—but as she had no choice in the matter, she followed Nana across the field to where the path met a stream.
“You, in the trees!” Nana said in a firm voice. “Come out, we are not your enemy. We are with Elspeth… uh…” She turned to Elspeth with an expectant look in her eye.
It took Elspeth a moment to realise what the woman wanted. “Oh, Tanner. Elspeth Tanner.” Though before Nana could say as much, Elspeth raised her c
hin and shouted, “It’s me, Grady. I’m safe, don’t shoot.”
Grady walked into the open, followed by Si’eth and two wolves—wildlings, by the look of them. Elspeth had not seen a wildling before, but these two certainly weren’t Rukin: too… shabby.
Grady nodded, then said, “Are you well, Elspeth?”
“Of course I’m well. Come on out.”
“Yes, she sounds in good voice,” Si’eth said.
He had a smile on his face. Elspeth was surprised at how pleased she was to see the Salrian, given how they had first met. And even more surprised that Grady appeared to be friendly with him. When she had left for home, those two had been far from friendly toward each other. Strange how a couple of weeks could change everything.
“We thought you were off with your… friends, Elspeth,” Grady said. “When did you get back?”
“Friends? Oh, you mean Vila. It’s all right, she knows about that.” She made a gestured towards Nana. “She just saved me from some of Vila’s men.”
Grady nodded, but still looked apprehensive. “Convenient that she should appear right when you needed her.”
Nana raised her chin high. “What are you saying, Surabhan? That this is some sort of elaborate trap. Do you think you’re that important?”
“I think you are Toyan, and I know Toyans have been attacking the east wall.”
“‘Attacking’? Ha! Hardly attacking; we didn’t come within fifty paces.”
“Still,” Grady said. “How can you expect us to believe you have switched sides?”
Nana chuckled. “You know, for a man who is outnumbered, you have quite the mouth on you.”
“Who said I was outnumbered?”
Elspeth gasped, as the biggest wolf she had ever seen walked out of the trees and stood by Grady. Standing on all fours, the wolf was taller than Si’eth, almost Grady’s height. Two more wolves—normal sized ones—came out of the trees and lined up on either side of the big black one.
Nana placed her hand on the hilt of her sword and five of her men closed in around her. The wolves began to growl menacingly.
“Control your pets, Surabhan,” Nana said.
“They’re not my pets, Toyan. Now, call your men off, and—”
“That’s enough!” Elspeth shouted. Everyone, including the wolves, turned to look at her. “Just stop it, we haven’t got time to see who has the biggest sword. Grady, call off your wolves. Nana, tell your men to sheath their weapons.”
Elspeth folded her arms. She glanced between Nana and Grady, hoping they would do as they were told. Si’eth was trying to hide a laugh, and the big wolf was staring at her with what looked like amusement in his eyes. Gods, that thing is huge! Where did it come from?
“Is this the one you told me about, Si’eth,” the wolf said, “the one who keeps getting caught?”
Elspeth blinked at him. “Me…? What? What have you been telling him, Si’eth?”
Si’eth shrugged. “Well, I didn’t tell him everything, just—”
Nana had taken a hesitant step forward. “Are you… Karakin?” she asked the wolf. She had a bemused look on her face. Clearly, she hadn’t heard a wolf talk before.
“If I were Karakin, I wouldn’t be talking to you. You would be dead. Call your men off.”
Nana made a hand signal and her men took a step back, sheathing their weapons as they did so.
“Thank you, Qiel,” Grady said. “I knew it was a good idea to bring you along.”
“As I remember it,” Qiel said, walking back to the normal wolves, “I didn’t give you much choice.”
Grady chuckled, then cleared his throat. “Still, nice to have you along.” He turned to Nana. “My name is Lieutenant Grady Daleman. This is”—he gestured towards Si’eth—“Captain Si’eth Uldmae of the Salrian Guard. You’ve already met young Qiel, and these two are Bosh and Logi—though I have no idea which is which.”
“And the others?” Nana folded her arms and nodded towards the trees. “How many more of them are there?”
“Enough,” Grady said. He, too, folded his arms.
The captain and lieutenant stared at one another for a long moment. Until, with what was probably a sigh of resignation, Nana said, “I am Captain Nana Duran of the Toyan Merchant’s Guard. The stout fellow with the silver leaf on his collar is my sergeant—we call him Skelk. You don’t need to know anyone else. What are you doing here?”
“Well, Captain,” Grady said. “I’m here because we’re wondering why you are here. What’s going on with your forces? Why have the Toyans separated themselves from the rest of Vila’s camp?”
For a long moment, Nana seemed to be considering whether to answer him. Then, “We have… fallen out of favour with the witch. She was none too pleased that I had deserted my post. I don’t think my men rescuing me from the noose did much to help.” Nana shifted her weight from one foot to the other and regarded Grady with a glassy stare. “Again, Lieutenant, why are you here? You didn’t march a ring around Vila to find out what we’re up to.”
Grady tilted his head to the side and looked Nana up and down. Then cast his eye over the other Toyans. His posture eased, as he appeared to relax. “I’ll explain everything later, Captain. Perhaps we could go to your camp, have tea and sit down while we talk.”
Nana shook her head. “They don’t know I’m out here. And I don’t know if the camp is being watched. You can explain yourself just as well here. We’ll even make some tea. But if you want your tea hot, I suggest we move away from the valley.”
Grady looked disappointed. He flicked a quick glance over to the big wolf. “I was hoping we might come to an arrangement. But if you have no influence over the rest of your forces, then I’m afraid we will have to leave you to your tea.”
“No,” Elspeth said. “You can’t just go. Arfael is out here somewhere, and he is not very happy. He’s… Changed.”
Grady looked puzzled. “Why would Arfael have—” He shuffled his feet. “You’ve heard about Olam?”
Elspeth nodded. “Elucia says he’s a guardian now. I was going to tell that to Arfael, but then we found out he had run off. He brought some steel… then I fell off the wall… and these men attacked me… and Nana saved me… and then you turn up—it’s been a long day.”
Grady looked as if he was holding back a laugh. Elspeth was going to give him a piece of her mind, but Nana interrupted.
“I might be able to help. I know the rest of the Toyans are as unhappy with Vila’s as I am. I’m sure, if you have a plan, I can persuade them to be part of it.”
“Well, I don’t have a plan. But with several thousand Toyans on Vila’s eastern flank, I’m sure I know a man who can come up with one.”
Nana was smiling. “Then we’ll make that tea, Lieutenant Grady Daleman.”
* * *
Arfael climbed down from the large rock that overlooked the field were Grady and the Toyan woman were talking. He had wanted to go down there; more to see Elspeth than anyone else, but where he was going was for him only—they wouldn’t understand.
“So, the Toyans are joining forces with the palace,” he whispered.
That would keep the Kel’madden busy on their eastern flank. If he continued along the northern trail, he could sneak up on Vila while she was busy looking elsewhere. He couldn’t help but smile at the thought.
The news about Olam was good; being a guardian suited his old friend. But it didn’t change anything. The witch had still killed him.
“Not long now, Vila.”
CHAPTER 18
Deliverance
Daric spent an hour with Gialyn: half an hour talking, and half an hour supervising as four guards carried his son to the Hungry Fisherman. They carried him on a narrow wooden cot with a thick, padded mattress. Gialyn had complained, saying he felt stupid and could walk, but Daric didn’t care: it was the cot or stay in the palace.
It was almost dark. More storm clouds had begun to roll in from the east. No rain, though, which was a mixed blessin
g. Good, because the lookouts would be able to see further; bad, because they could do with the rain to limit the damage caused by dragon fire.
The street outside the Hungry Fisherman was quiet, but when he walked into the common room, Daric thought the Kel’madden must have attacked again.
“Why is everyone rushing about?” he asked Mikelmoor, while pointing Gialyn’s cot bearers in the direction of the stairs—although he needn’t have bothered; Elucia had come with them and was busy taking charge of things where Gialyn was concerned. Daric wasn’t sure if he liked her. When the woman spoke, she expected to be heard. Even the guards were jumping to her tune. And she fussed over Gialyn as if he were her own son. Daric wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or not.
Mikelmoor ignored his question. Instead, he pointed to the cot. “Why are you carrying a sick man down from the palace?” he asked. The general looked flustered. He was handing out notes, reading messages, giving orders; it was a wonder he could keep track.
The table in front of him was full of maps, one big map in the centre, with a dozen smaller maps, showing what looked like individual valleys and forests, surrounding it. Various new ornaments had been set in place on the big map, some of which Daric recognised from the last time he was here. Others, like the small figurine of a naked woman with long hair, were new. Daric decided not to ask what that represented. Although he had a good idea, it might be Vila herself, judging by where Mikelmoor had placed the small statuette—to the north of the Kel’madden camp. Why would he have a separate figure for her…? Another mystery he probably didn’t want an answer to.
“It’s my son. He wanted to come,” Daric said, taking off his cloak and hanging it over the back of a chair.
The cloak wasn’t for warmth; the air was warm, even when it rained. Best not to advertise his rank, not with the way things were in Bailryn.
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